Covid Ireland: Full list of new rules as isolation period cut by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly

The Department of Health announced updated guidelines around PCR and antigen testing on Thursday and made changes to the isolation period required after a positive Covid test in certain circumstances.

In a statement, the department said the changes would be introduced due to high volumes of disease across the country.

The new rules mean those with symptoms of Covid-19 aged 4 to 39 should self isolate immediately and undertake regular antigen tests instead of booking a PCR test.

Anyone with a positive antigen test should seek a PCR test to confirm this.

People with repeated ‘not detected’ antigen tests should continue to self-isolate until 48 hours after their symptoms have resolved.

Symptomatic healthcare workers are asked to continue to seek a PCR test.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD arrives for a cabinet meeting at Government Buildings on Merrion Street, Dublin. (Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Those with an underlying condition should contact their GP.

People with symptoms of Covid aged 0-3 years and those older than 40 should seek a PCR test as soon as they display symptoms.

The current HSE advice states that adults who receive a positive PCR test should self-isolate for ten days from the commencement of their symptoms.

The new rules have reduced this from ten days to seven days for people over the age of 13 who have received a booster more than seven days ago, or have had a Covid infection within the last three months in addition to two vaccine doses. However, there are some terms attached to this.

People should only exit isolation after seven days if symptoms have substantially or fully resolved for the final two of the seven days.

Those exiting isolation after a seven day period should:

• Limit their close contact with other people outside of the household.
• Wear a mask in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and when in close contact with other people.
• Take an antigen test before entering crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and before having close contact with other people from outside their household.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is at higher risk.
• Work from home if possible.
• Adhere to public health measures.

The news comes after a total of 20,554 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in Ireland on Thursday, with 619 people with the virus in hospital and 88 patients being treated in ICU.